My chickens are free-loaders! More egg-laying questions!!

Ok so my wonderful group of 7 ladies are all approaching 20 weeks -- no eggs yet. Obviously I am counting out the Cochin (huge!) and Sizzle (tiny) --I'm sure they won't lay for a while! No worries--I can wait for those 2.

My Australorp and Wyandotte have red wattles and combs and are nice and big and healthy -- but never squat when I approach or crouch when I pet their back? Do I still have a ways to go with them?

My Campine on the other hand has the opposite problem --she isn't very red at all-- still looks somewhat petite but squats and flares her wings out when I pet her back -- mind you she is probably the most flighty of the bunch and typically doesn't even let me touch!?

I got both of my first eggs within a couple of days of the girls squatting.

Although when I had ISA Browns they didnt squat till they were about a year old.. got eggs for a long while before that. but I didnt spend as much time with them, which may have effected them either not squatting or me not noticing.

Squatting is AWESOME not only does it generally mean eggs are coming, it means you can actually catch the evil critters and give them a cuddle (which mine protest to )

Agreed on the squating! The particular "lady" who is doing it is typically the most beserko fraidy-chicken -- so it is nice to actually get to give her a little pet and see her up close! Now, I think she is quite sweet and she'll be downright my fav if she lays a darn egg!

20 weeks is the earliest age to begin laying for non-industrial breeds like you have. Be patient! You will have eggs soon! I did have one EE that started at 19 weeks and 6 days... but I have Orpingtons, EEs, and Marans, and many of them didn't start until 22, 23, 24 weeks. It's just normal... the normal range is 20-26 weeks. If you have anyone who is squatting, it won't be too long. However, I had one girl who sang the gg song for 5 weeks before laying. And with my birds, no started squatting until AFTER they had each laid a couple of eggs. They all have their own ways of going about it. I know what it's like to be anxiously awaiting those first eggs! I checked 12 times a day for like 4 weeks before I ever got my first egg.... but be sure that you will have some soon. And it will be awesome when you find that first egg! Sit tight and it won't be long!!

My Black sex links didn't start laying until they were about week 24 but now they are regular. Yours should start anytime. Also they need less protien at this stage> If you are wanting good layers don't feed anything put Laying pellets extra grain just adds to mush protien. Laying formula's now days have all you need add a little sand or verysmall gravel and that's all you will need.